Only Fools Love Monsters

"Remind me never to let you two watch movies together," Tom said as he stepped off the elevator to find Thor, a sobbing mass in Loki's arms, and Loki looking flustered, "Lord of the Rings is not that sad of a movie."
A puff of green smoke appeared before Tony as a Loki clone materializing, "Thor is being emotional," It whispered to him, "He burst into tears an hour or so ago and I've finally gotten him to calm down."
"That's calm?" Tony whispered, pointing towards the blubbering Thor.
"You have no idea," The Loki sighed, "Give me a second, wait here," It kissed him lightly before disappearing.
Tony couldn't be certain whether or not kissing a Loki clone was cheating or not, but he guessed it was still Loki, so he enjoyed it all the same.
"Thor," Loki said, stroking the blonde's hair, "Thor, if you will cease your blubbering, I have a surprise for you."
"I do not deserve any kindness from you, brother," Thor sobbed, clinging to Loki's cotton shirt.
"We have settled this matter, brother, how can you expect me to believe you forgive me of my sins if you do not believe I forgive yours? Thor, I implore you to come with me, I am very excited for this surprise and am very eager to show you."
Thor sniffed once more before raising his face to look into his brother's eyes. He smiled slightly as Loki used his thumb to wipe away the tears clinging to his cheeks and planted a loving kiss on his forehead.
"Come on you two," Tony said, ignoring the venomous look Loki shot him as Thor jolted.
He knew it was ridiculous that he felt jealous towards Thor, but he justified it by the fact that the two gods were not actually brothers and therefore had every right to be involved with each other. The thought was ridiculous, Tony knew that, but he also knew how possessive he could be and worried slightly because of it.
What if he lashed out at Thor?
"Everyone is waiting for us," He smiled, forcing the thoughts from his mind, he might address them later, but not now.
"What is the surprise?" Thor asked, attempting to clear his face, embarrassed that his teammate had seen him so vulnerable.
"If I told you, it would not be a surprise," Loki chuckled, walking over to Tony and wrapping his arms around his waist.
"True, true," Thor nodded.
"Let's go then," Tony grinned, enjoying the feel of Loki's cool skin.
He whimpered as Loki's arms fell from his waist, but smiled when an arm was instead draped over his shoulder as they made their way towards the waiting elevator, "You ready?" he whispered in Loki's ear once the elevator started moving and Thor took up a conversation with Jarvis.
"I see, so you are on the roof of this moving box," Thor smiled at the ceiling.
"No, sir, once again…" Jarvis, if it was possible, sighed and launched into the same conversation had attempted to have multiple times with the Norse brothers.
"Yes," Loki smiled, pressing his lips against Tony's.
He pulled away as the elevator opened to reveal Tony's villa, which had the largest kitchen area along with a designated dining room.
The rest of the team was standing, or leaning against the walls, looking confused and bored.
"You mind telling us why it is so very urgent that we meet here?" Clint asked, eyes narrowed.
"It's a surprise," Tony smirked, "Everyone, gather in the dining room!"
"You know, generally we don't like your surprises," Bruce said as they entered the empty dining room, giant oak table barren.
"We're having a party!" Tony grinned.
"We don't generally like your parties either," Natasha said, causing everyone but Loki, who didn't understand the reference, to snicker.
"We'll, this isn't Anthony's party, it's mine," Loki said, enjoying their confused expressions, "I have an announcement, so please take a seat, I find it best to show you than to tell you."
"Oh my god, you're pregnant! Not another horse, Loki!" Clint yelled before bursting into laughter.
"No!" Loki barked, "and the next person to make fun of my children will find out exactly how hilarious they are!" but he didn't hold his composer long before his lips twitched with a smile.
"Why are we gathered here, brother?" Thor asked, redirecting the conversation.
"Let me show you," Loki grinned before snapping his fingers.
In a flash of warm light, the dining hall was filled with source-less music, the table overflowing with the most succulent dishes in all nine realms while lustrous golden platters and utensils and goblets decorated the remaining space, and a chandler hung bright and twinkling from above.
The team then looked down to realize that their previous casual attire had been replaced with sleek, black suits, save Natasha, who wore a long red and black evening gown.
"Your magic has returned, brother!" Thor exclaimed, rising to his feet with the others and enveloping him in his arms.
"When did this happen?" Steve asked, eyes still wide from shock.
"Only a little over an hour ago," Loki grinned, slightly drained from the amount of magic he had used.
It had returned, but was weak from disuse.
"How did it happen?" Bruce asked, amazement lighting his eyes.
"I do not know!" Loki laughed, "But let us concern ourselves with frivolous detail later, this is a feast and that is what we shall do!"
His words were met with a general cheer as they all returned to their seats.
"What of drinks?" Thor asked, always eager for a drink.
"Pick your chalice, brother, I have charmed them to supply you with whatever you desire and however much you can take!"
"What a glorious day!" Thor grinned, wracking his brain for the name of an ale he had been craving.
"You're amazing," Tony grinned at his god, grasping his hand under the table.
"Anthony Stark, we are two of the proudest men in the universe and you clasp hands under the table like bashful children?" Loki smirked, pulling their hand from under the table and setting them on the table, between their plates for all to see.
"Seriously, Tony," Clint laughed, "we hear it every time you guys have sex no matter what floor we're on and you're going holding his hand under the table?"
"Touché," Tony blushed, much to his horror, "Wait, every floor?"
"All but the bottom level," Natasha nodded.
"Is that acceptable, Lokster?" Tony asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Hardly, I believe we can do better, don't you?" Loki laughed, squeezing Tony's hand.
"Oh I think we can do much better," Tony winked.
"Can we get like, ten minute notices?" Bruce asked, "Just so we can get a head start?"
"Are you joking?" Thor chuckled, "last time, Loki dragged him away from the breakfast table, I hardly think they give each other ten minutes' notice."
"We're always ready to go. I mean, you're talking about Tony Stark and Loki here!" Tony laughed.
"Perhaps we should be grateful that neither of you wear my uniform then," Steve smirked, surprising everyone at his willingness to join in on the subject.
"Do you mean the spangley one or the stripper clothes?" Clint asked, enjoying the blush that erupted on their Captain's cheeks.
Loki smiled, looking over to see that Thor was smiling at him with that warm puppy dog smile as his jaw worked on an oversized drum stick.
He loved this, this feeling of belonging. He had never felt that on Asgard or anywhere really, and suddenly he realized that he was sitting with the first real friends he had ever had and as he felt the warmth from Tony's hand he realized that he was in the first real relationship he had ever had.
He, Loki of Jötunheim, who was thousands of years old, was sitting with his first friends and first love and they were mortals.
While he did look to be of similar years, when he was their age Loki had been nothing more than an infant.
He and Thor, they would live for hundreds of thousands of years more, but all of these people, these people who he cared for and who cared for him, only had a few decades left to live.
Already, the gears were turning in Loki's head, solutions beginning to form in his mind.
Then the alarm went off.
"Leave it to SHIELD to interrupt a party," Tony grumbled, "Avengers, suit up."
Then he paused, as did the rest of the team as they stared at Loki, who, when they had all stood, had remained seated, whether out of habit or something more they knew not, but all the same, they smiled at each other and came to some silent decision before Tony added, "Loki that means you too! You're an Avenger, right?"
"What?" Loki asked, surprised, "Oh, er…" He had been caught off guard and was scrambling for the right answer, "If you'll have me," he said lamely, as if not expecting a positive reply.
"We'll always have you, Lokster," Bruce laughed, clapping him on the back.
"You got a suit?" Steve asked, a grin on his face.
"… Yes," Loki quirked an eyebrow. They knew full well that he had a suit so he did not understand the question.
"Then suit up!" The team yelled, a grin blooming on every face.

Notes